UK Business Angels Association

Member news: Angel-backed startups thrive as DSW Ventures closes second SEIS fund DSW Ventures has successfully closed its second SEIS fund, surpassing its £2M target and reinforcing investor confidence in backing high-potential early-stage tech companies across the UK regions. Building on the success of its first SEIS fund, which invested £1.9M in six groundbreaking startups, Fund 2 will continue to support innovative companies and university spinouts developing pioneering technologies, from advanced diagnostics to cutting-edge B2B software. With its strong regional investor network, Fund 1 leveraged £5.6M in total investment and is already attracting next-stage capital at significant valuation uplifts. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eds-tScj #AngelInvesting #SEIS #EarlyStageInvestment #VentureCapital

🎙️ Less than 1 week to go until we kick off Becoming an Angel Investor - Part of the Regional Embracing Diversity Roadshow! UKBAA and the British Business Bank are launching a nationwide series of regional events to expand access to angel investing and empower investors to build more diverse, high-performing portfolios. 🚅 The first stop? Edinburgh on Tuesday 18th March! In partnership with leading angel groups and syndicates, this series will offer expert insights and practical guidance to: 🔹 Support and welcome investors from diverse backgrounds, making angel investing more inclusive and accessible 🔹 Demystify angel investing for those new to the space, covering key opportunities and challenges, plus how to get started 🔹 Equip existing investors with strategies to back diverse founders and unlock stronger portfolio performance Hosted by Apollo Informal Investments, this is a must-attend event for investors, angel groups and industry leaders looking to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and foster more inclusive growth. 🔗 More dates to be announced - sign up to get involved! https://lnkd.in/e4mdN44K Anglia Capital Group - Hannah Brynn | Apollo Informal Investments - Michiel Smith | angelgroups - Martin Avison | Gateway Angels - Katie Nicholson | Minerva Business Angels - Mark Tock | Angel Investors Bristol - Ben Cooper | Oxford Innovation - Richard Cooper

Member news: Streamline your deal flow with Barclays Demo Directory! Managing inbound deal flow just got easier for angel investors! The Barclays Demo Directory platform, which has already attracted over 500 active investors and over 1,600 founder applications since launching in October 2023, has unveiled new inbound management functionality - designed to save investors time and simplify deal sourcing. Investors can now redirect inbound opportunities into the platform, where they can easily search, filter, and manage deal flow in one place. The new functionality also allows investors to track opportunities over time and even share deal flow within a firm or Angel Group. 👉 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eBHuHscy Mark Walker

📢 Final speaker announcement for the Future of Creative: The Creative East Investment Showcase, in partnership with Creative East! We are thrilled to welcome Ana Cavez, Angel Investor & Enterprise Sales Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), to our incredible panel on Monday 17th March at Norwich City Football Club. Ana will share insights on unlocking the potential of creative businesses, fostering sustainable growth and shaping the industry's future. As a startup advisor, Ana is passionate about impact-driven businesses that leverage technology for sustainable development. At AWS, she leads large-scale digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies and previously headed the Accenture AWS Business Group across the UK, Ireland, and Africa. 📅 Date: Monday 17th March ⏲️ Time: 12:30 - 17.30 📍 Location: Norwich City Football Club Also featuring: 🌟 Steve Rimmer, Chantal Epp FRSA and Andrea Cockerton 🔥 Fiona Dent & moderator Roderick Beer in a dynamic discussion on the investment landscape in creative industries 🎬 Investment pitches from Yakbit, Opendatabay, Boone and Liminal Films - showcasing the sector’s incredible potential! Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with key players in the creative industries. Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/eKH4VBbu Mary-Jo Hill | Justinas Kairys | Michelle M. | Rachel Prendergast 🎥| Murray Dare

📢 Exciting Announcement! We are delighted to share that Mathys & Squire LLP is the sponsor for the Hard Tech Investment of the Year at the UKBAA Angel Investment Awards 2025! 🎉 Mathys & Squire's invaluable support underscores their dedication to driving innovation in research-intensive and capital intensive sectors such as health & life sciences, engineering, and manufacturing. This prestigious award will celebrate the foundersand early-stage investors whose disruptive innovations are shaping the future economy. Join us as we celebrate the pioneers who are pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation! 📅 Save the Date: Thursday 10 July 2025📍 Location: The Brewery, Chiswell St, London Find out more: https://lnkd.in/erjJraun Nominations close 28th March! Don't miss your chance to celebrate those making a real impact: https://lnkd.in/e7d_yDn8 #HardTech #AngelInvestment #Innovation #TechForGood #UKBAAAwards #InvestmentInInnovation #MathysAndSquire

As Investing in Insurtech is around the corner, it's time to announce our line up of incredible speakers. This unmissable deep dive into the world of Insurtech will include an exclusive evening of insights, networking, and opportunities in partnership with Insurtech UK, Paragon Brokers, and Lloyd's, where you'll discover why Insurtech is the sector to watch in 2025! Introducing our speakers: 🌟 Melissa Collett, CEO, Insurtech UK 🌟 Eloise Morgan, Director of Ventures, Paragon Brokers 🌟 Chris Adelsbach, Founder, Outrun Ventures 🌟 Richard Chattock, CEO, Insurtech Gateway 🌟 Louise Birritteri, CEO & Co-Founder, Pikl Insurance 🌟 Natalia Dorfman, Founder, Kita 🌟 Sokhiba Mukhitdinova, VC Principal, InsurTech NY 🌟 John Warburton, CEO & Co-Founder, Konsileo 📅 13th March 2025, 16:00 - 19:00, London This event is now at capacity. To join the waitlist, please email events@ukbaa.org.uk

Investment News: Cancer-fighting treatment gets £500,000 boost A North East health tech company has secured £500,000 to fund the design of a clinical trial for a promising non-antibiotic treatment aimed at eradicating cancer-causing Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Lant Medical Ltd, founded by Joanne Lant, has developed a formulation to treat antibiotic-resistant H. pylori infections, which could eventually be available over the counter as an indigestion remedy. Despite more than half the global population being affected by H. pylori, current treatment options are limited and often ineffective. Officials say the £500,000 investment, split between Innovate UK and two angel investors from the Northern Investor Hub, will be “a game-changer in advancing clinical trials”, helping support clinical trial design, manufacturing and field trials in India to validate the treatment’s efficacy. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eeghcqpc

Member news: PwC analysis finds failure rates amongst startups at lowest level in a decade, despite record company formations. The failure rate of new businesses relative to total insolvencies is at its lowest level for more than a decade, according to new analysis from PwC. In 2024 startups accounted for 46% of total company insolvencies, the lowest proportion in a decade by a large margin – despite record levels of company incorporations over the period. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eAAqrDFf

Last week we travelled to Darlington to deliver the Angel Investment Development Programme, an in-person training day funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority as part of the Tees Valley Securing Investment: Investor Connect Programme. This initiative is part of our wider mission to build investor capacity across the UK, equipping aspiring angels with the knowledge, networks, and tools to support the next generation of high-growth businesses. Cornel Chiriac (2050 Capital) and Roderick Beer (UKBAA) led the event, guiding a dynamic group of investors—including many exited founders eager to reinvest their expertise and capital into emerging entrepreneurs. Discussions explored the fundamentals of angel investing, strategies for building a strong portfolio, and how to identify and back high-potential opportunities. The training day included: 🔹 Real-world deal exposure, from setting your thesis to creating an investment memo. 🔹 Expert guidance from legal counsel and experienced co-investors. 🔹 Access to an exclusive alumni network and eLearning materials. The room was full, the energy was high, and the engagement was fantastic, with participants eager to expand their knowledge and connect with fellow investors. A huge thank you to our partners and supporters for making this happen! Charlotte Scott

🎉 Join us for the UKBAA Angel Spring Social! Step into a season of fresh opportunities and connect with fellow investors, innovators, and industry leaders at our exclusive spring social evening reception. Celebrate the growth and potential of 2025 while networking in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Event Details: 📅 Date: Wednesday 7th May ⏱️ Time: 18:30 - 20:30 📍 Location: Babel Beerhouse, London N1C We’re delighted to partner with BMS Group for this event - don’t miss the chance to exchange insights and explore new opportunities! 👉 Secure your spot here: https://lnkd.in/eAP3tMxz This event is open to UKBAA Members and non-member investors only Tom Spraggs | Richard Austwick (Dip CII) | Tom Woolcott | BMS Group